I think DeMar will surprise everyone this year. The pressure is on him now that Ross is there and pushing for playing time as well as at practice. Also having a younger and more relatable players around him like Lowry, Ross, Fields and Acy might bring some joy back to playing basketball. He just didn't seem very happy to me last season.

Also think the bench mob is going to turn some heads with Calderon quarterbacking them. LK should benefit from playing with someone whom knows how to play the game and Ed should benefit greatly from getting spoon fed under the rim as well. Ditto Amir.

I'm not entirely sold on DeRozan, especially expecting him to be the biggest surprise, only because of the expectations most people have had for him. A breakout year for DeRozan will still just meet expectations for most fans... I think it would take an appearance in the all-star game to be considered a big surprise.

As for your assessment of the Raps 2nd unit, I agree that it could very well be the team's greatest advantage. It is so skilled and well-rounded, that it reminds me of the 2nd unit back in the 2006-07 season. That year I just hoped that the starters (Ford, Parker, Garbo, Bosh & Rasho) kept it close, so that the 2nd unit (Calderon, Mo-P, Graham, Hump & Bargnani) could build a lead playing against the opposition's inferior 2nd unit. The 2nd unit in 2007-08, led by Calderon, Delfino & Bargnani was also an advantage, until injuries to Garbo/Ford derailed the season. I could see this year's 2nd unit being a huge advantage for the Raps, with Calderon, Ross, Kleiza, Davis, Amir and Gray all contributing. Hmmm seems like Calderon is the constant... way above-average backup (due to personal skills and his ability to bring out the best of the players on the court with him), but below-average (due to poor defense) starter.

I'm not entirely sold on DeRozan, especially expecting him to be the biggest surprise, only because of the expectations most people have had for him. A breakout year for DeRozan will still just meet expectations for most fans... I think it would take an appearance in the all-star game to be considered a big surprise.

As for your assessment of the Raps 2nd unit, I agree that it could very well be the team's greatest advantage. It is so skilled and well-rounded, that it reminds me of the 2nd unit back in the 2006-07 season. That year I just hoped that the starters (Ford, Parker, Garbo, Bosh & Rasho) kept it close, so that the 2nd unit (Calderon, Mo-P, Graham, Hump & Bargnani) could build a lead playing against the opposition's inferior 2nd unit. The 2nd unit in 2007-08, led by Calderon, Delfino & Bargnani was also an advantage, until injuries to Garbo/Ford derailed the season. I could see this year's 2nd unit being a huge advantage for the Raps, with Calderon, Ross, Kleiza, Davis, Amir and Gray all contributing. Hmmm seems like Calderon is the constant... way above-average backup (due to personal skills and his ability to bring out the best of the players on the court with him), but below-average (due to poor defense) starter.

I'm hoping that Lowry can have an affect on DeMar similar to KG on the Celtic's team when he arrived. They all turned into jerks bascially, but they had an "us against the world" or gang mentality and guys like Perkins, and Rondo all started playing at a higher level because of that comradery they shared with KG and knowing he had their backs. It elevaled their games which I can see happening with Lowry's presence along with being surrounded by players DeMar would have more in common with (T. Ross, Fields, Acy). As mentioned in my earlier post I felt like he wasn't having very much fun on the team last season. I expect Lowry to sort of galvanise the roster and DeMar to be one of the guys to most benefit from it.

If it's someone you are 'expecting' to surprise you ... are they really surprising you?

haha..moving on

I have to go with Ross. We don't know anything about him and were disappointed when he was first picked. I can tell you from what I've seen he will be more suitable to contribute than DD because of his skill set. He can hit open 3's all day and get in the passing lanes. if he does that, he will be the surprise ROOKIE of the year let alone a surprise on our team.

If I were to go with a surprise in a negative context it would have to be Amir. I think this year we are going to see an Ed Davis that can eclipse him in terms of his potential and and Amir that will not be able to catch him. With all of the injuries and a log jam at that position, I just don't see Amir being able to hold his spot.

I keep thinking back to the Raptors stats guy's comments about Ross...that he was way ahead of anyone else in the draft. Stat's aren't everything, but combine that with the super positive interview thread with the quotes from his college coach. and Ross could emerge as one of the top two guys on the second unit.